Mother Intends To Sue Over Skateboarder Arrest

WEST HARTFORD — The mother of a youth arrested in February intends to sue the town, saying it violated her son's civil rights.

In a notice filed with the town clerk's office, Marguerite Simmons of 1146 Boulevard alleges that her son, Michael, was assaulted when he was arrested on Feb. 22.

``Michael Simmons has suffered and will continue to suffer personal injuries including . . . bruises to his neck and throat areas, injury to his back, abrasions to his arms, injury to his cheek and eye [and] physical and emotional distress,'' said the notice, written by Simmons' attorney, Kenneth I. Friedman.

The town denies the allegations and will vigorously challenge them in court, said Corporation Counsel Marjorie Wilder. ``There's no question that the claim is not accurate,'' she said.

Michael Simmons, who was 15 at the time, was skateboarding on the Boulevard when Officer Richard Nardi confronted him. The notice alleges that Nardi ``assaulted and battered Michael Simmons'' before arresting him.

Nardi could not be reached for comment Friday. However, Wilder said the officer simply told the youth that he could not skateboard in the street.

``He was in the middle of the travel lane of the road when Officer Nardi asked him to stop,'' Wilder said.

Michael Simmons was arrested on various charges. Because he was a juvenile at the time of his arrest, his record is sealed.